White Wednesday

My husband gifted me with this sweet Cherub
at Christmas last year.

It's made of cement and there's a hole in the bottom
as if it were designed to be used as a finial.

I thought it very fitting to "present" him to you on this
(my 2nd) White Wednesday!!

"Who Will Sit at The End of My Bed?"

Each time one of my parents gets admitted to the hospital (which thankfully isn't often) I take comfort in knowing that throughout their stay, there's always at least one daughter (there are five of us) sitting at the end of their bed offering comfort and support. As much as this means to me....knowing that they are never alone....it also brings me sadness. Because I don't have children of my own, I can't help but think to myself...when I'm old and ailing...who will sit at the end of my bed?

I recently shared these feelings with my dear friend Claire while we were in a deep conversation about coping with being a caretaker of an ailing spouse or parent. Claire later recalled what I had said and took the liberty of asking a poet friend of hers to write a poem for me based on that conversation.

L.M. "Dutch" Keen wrote the above poem which Claire then printed and framed for me. To say that the this gift touched me to the core would be an understatement.

(to read the poem, click on the image above to enlarge)

White Wednesday

I walked into Amy (aka Thistlebees) and Keri's (aka Antique Therapy) booth at the Brimfield Antique Show and I was immediately drawn to this dining room set (gee.... you think the fact that it was white had anything to do with it!). Large oval table with six cane-back chairs and burlap seats.....yeah baby! And if you could have seen how nicely it was showcased (sorry I only took one pic at the show), you would have been too!

All packed up and ready for its new home, and just in time before the showers came passing through. Did I mention my husband enjoys Brimfield as much as I do? How awesome is THAT!??

Got it home, put some felt pads on the bottoms of all the legs and slid it right into place.

I took this picture so you could see the double mirror I bought from Amy at her first Brimfield showing a couple of years back.

I've seen a few dining sets that are similar to this but it was the detail that sold me on this one in particular.

I added these French styled numbers (1-6) to the backs of the chairs. My original thought was to stencil them on but when my search for the perfect font failed....I settled (for now anyway) on these, which are rub-ons I bought at a craft store.

For more White Wednesday goodies, see the Queen at Faded Charm!!

What's not to love....

When I walked into to this booth aptly name "French Vanilla" at the Brimfield Antique Show I was immediately drawn to this lamp and its umm...(as my husband quipped).....shade?! No, I didn't buy it but I at least I have this awesome picture of it. The owners of the booth, Peg and John Van Dyne, graciously allowed me to take these pictures of their wonderfully creative treasures.....THANK YOU!

Burlap and gauze....perfectly suited for one another!

And what about these old books with their bindings and covers removed.... Stacked and tied up in gauze they look amazing!

A Potting Bench built just for me....

Well, not really but it sure felt that way when I spied this beauty within 10 minutes of arriving at the Brimfield Antique Show. It's crafted from salvaged wood, architectural pieces and a vintage sink...which pretty much had my heart pounding!

And when my heart pounds.....I know it's meant to be (right honey??)! So there I was writing the check with a shaking hand and a huge smile on my face - all the while picturing it in my potting shed.

I had so much fun decorating my new treasure from odds and ends I had stashed away in my basement. Made me glad I've been procrastinating on that yard sale I've been planning for oh...say three years.

A few lavender sachets to help freshen my shed that's been closed up all winter.

I need to fill the sink with something or things but not sure just yet. Any ideas....I'm open to suggestions?

Found a perfect spot for this little cutie that I forgot I had tucked away.

The cabinet looks free standing but it's actually securely mounted to the bench - the glass door is fashioned from an old transom window.

This vintage child's shoe form was also a Brimfield find. Speaking of which...stay tuned for future posts for more of my Brimfield goodies. I can hardly wait for their next show this July!

And if this bench sets your heart a flutter as well...be sure to check out the Sage Farm Antiques website for other great finds!!

(click on an image to enlarge)

You don't want to miss out on this....

Awesome Giveaway!!

It's from a charmingly beautiful blog that I recently became a follower of called Fiona & Twig!

Simply click on the image above and you'll be taken to her blog and given the chance to win this fabulous book.....Good Luck!!!

White Wednesday

This is my first participation in "White Wednesday" and I'm pleased to show Mary off as my first....isn't she beautiful?
I bought her at Home Goods a while ago knowing that when I got home my intention was to paint her all white (which I obviously did)....but now I'm not so sure that was the right decision....painter's remorse you might say.

Two entirely different looks - but what do you think.... prettier before or after?

It's fun playing dress up...

I started to paint this dress form that I recently purchased at a consignment shop and then remembered to take a before picture so that's why it's in a half-painted stage at this point....

Here she is all dressed up and ready to "show"!

I fashioned a belt using scrunched ribbon (which I finally figured out how to make myself), clipped on some keys from a necklace I no longer wear, a chandelier crystal and a pair of lovely earrings my Mother in-law made for me.

I went through my bag of vintage bridal lace and trim that was passed down to me by my Grandmother and came up with a great piece of lace that fit perfectly as a shoulder wrap. For the finishing touch, I glued on the Paris "buttons" .... ahem....stickers..

(Click on an image to enlarge)

The Beauty of Lilacs...

Is that even just one freshly cut bunch fills my entire home with such a wonderfully robust fragance that lasts for days and days.....

Not to mention the color...deep, dark lilac against the vibrant greenery really pops against my mainly white backdrop.